>Mark Phillips wrote:
>>Are you asking, "Why wouldn't God instantly create the final product rather
>than doing it in a series of supernatural steps?" I can think of some
>reasons why he _might_ do it this way, though ultimately only God knows.
>But this aside, it seems like a strange question coming from you, for
>the same question could be levelled at theist evolution. I don't see
>why it is any more problematic for PC than for TE.<
>
>Yeah, it is a strange question coming from me. I have often wondered the
>answer for my point of view also. Just wondered what the possible answers
>are. Nothing seems very satisfactory along those lines of questioning I
>guess.
It seems to me that whether you're a PC or a TE (or perhaps even a
YEC), you would have to admit that it is understandable how atheists
can satisfy themselves with a naturalistic explanation of the world
and our origins. God's work in the world is not as obvious as
day-to-day physical realities. The answer to the question "Why
wouldn't God create the final product instantly?" will, I think, be
the same as the answer to the question: "Why doesn't God speak to
everyone in the world with a big booming voice?" If God created
instantly, and science clearly showed this, then the learned would be
obliged to believe in God. But perhaps this isn't the kind of belief
God wants. Perhaps God has created our world subtley, so that those
who wish to be blind are able to be blind. This is not to say that
evidence for God isn't there, just that it is subtle. God is calling
us into belief that is more (but not neccessarily less) than a
rational assessment - a belief that requires a change of heart. If
God's creation was _too_ obvious then perhaps this would not reap the
kind of fruit that God wants. There is enough in creation for those
who want to see God, to see him, but God is subtle enough in creation
to allow those who want to be blind to God, to be blind.
(By the way, I don't believe this argument rules out (obvious)
supernatural miracles. There may be times when God does choose to
show himself more clearly, but only at the right time, in the right
way, to the right people.)
This argument is speculative - ultimately it is God who knows why he
chose to create us the way he did, but perhaps this is part of the
reason?
>The only difference between my position and the PC is that I have one or two
>miracles early on. God's work is minimized because of His planning and
>forethought. In PC, God is quite busy.
When can we hear your views on Genesis 1? I am very curious! When
do you hear back from the publishers? Couldn't you even give us
some hints about your view? :-)
Yours in Christ,
Mark.